I tried 2 different PCMCIA adapter cards for my 09 Fit with Nav stereo, and both were too long to fit in the slot & allow the nav/stereo to close. anyone know what brands fit in the PCMCIA slot? I tried a Sandisk & i think the other was a Lexar. Help please.

 

I've got to think you're not inserting the cards far enough...they don't come in different lengths.

Seriously, gently keep pushing and see what happens.

 

tried again....inserted, the eject button pops out, the card is still sticking out about 1mm, and the screen won't close. what brand are you using, and where did you get it?

 

On mine (IBM brand actually), when the card is inserted it sticks out exactly even with the eject button. Closes no problem.

 

yeah, the funny thing is with all my research, you are exactly right - the cards all come in a length of ~86mm. that is the card length I have now, which is 1cm too long (wrong units in last post). I just can't believe that Honda would make something so awry from the standard. I am wondering if something is wrong with mine. I even got a flashlight to see if there was something in the slot. I'm at a complete loss.

 

are you sure its PCMCIA? might be express card slot

 

Hi All,

Just got our FIT with navigation system three weeks ago.
I am also looking for whatever a PCMCIA adapter is.
I went to Best Buy and they looked it up and could find nothing about it for a FIT.
They carried a few types but none looked like anything that would fit.

Can anyone tell me what it's called officially, what it's make and model number might be, and where to purchase said item.

From the prices of other card adapters at Best Buy, it seems that it would be cheaper to just have different USB flash cards for different music or .mp3 books and use the USB connect in the glove box.

I was able to go to my iTunes, pull the songs I wanted into a folder, then pull that folder into my flash card. I was not sure it would work but it sure did. Only thing I have to learn yet is how to put each album in folders so that I can sort by album. I had all the selections in one album. I choose random listening and that made for quite an interesting variety of styles. Problem was that each song had a different volume level from the different albums so I was constantly using the volume control on the steering wheel to adjust the current songs.

If anyone knows how you get the volume levels to even out so that you are not blasted out of the car by some selections or need a hearing aid for others, I would like to know about it.

Thanks.

 

GD_3, I'm pretty sure it's not an express card (the slot is 54mm, which an express card is too small for). If you happen to be using an express card in slot, please offer up a brand, and place you bought it.

PoleCat2, it is called a PCMCIA adapter (official name), and it's the card made to go into the slot you typically see on the sides of laptops (wireless networking cards are very popular in this format). you can find it online on ebay, or googling it (got mine at memorysuppliers.com, but it didn't fit - despite being a standard size). so, you might run into the problem that I've had - too long to allow the door to close. let me know if yours works, and where you got it. I am thinking about running mine down to the Honda dealer, and trying it in a different stereo to see if something is wrong with mine.

here is something that might work for your volume problem. in the iTunes preferences under playback, there is a check box for Sound Check which normalizes the volume (it takes a while since it needs to analyze each song). It works for playback in iTunes of course, and I think it works for burned CDs. I would be surprised if it worked for flash memory files (because it would have to change the source code of each song file), but it is worth a try.

let me know if you find out anything new...

 

hmm. I dont have an 09 fit or know how the 09 fit stereo works, but most PCMCIA cards stick out when in a laptop. I'm a sales guy for a Computer component distribution company so i sell this stuff by the pallete everyday. LOL. It should stick out, and has an eject button when you want to remove it, so I'm not sure if it is supposed to be flush with the stereo. You may want to check the owners manual?

 

read the owners manual multiple times, called Honda, called the dealer, called every tech guy I know (which is saying something, I used to install home computer networks and integrated home stereo and automation - this is a subject I'm familiar with), and posted here...no one seems to have an answer. the situation is that the navi-screen folds down to reveal the CD slot and the PCMCIA slot, so if the card isn't fully inserted (or in this case is too long) the screen can't close and the stereo can't operate. the fact that there aren't a hundred posts about this makes me think that it is just something wrong with my Fit, so I'm going to find another Fit with Navi and see if the card I have works. if so, I'll get the dealer to replace my system, problem solved. if not, eventually enough people will have this problem that someone will have an answer.

 

Ohh i see. so the navi screen actually needs to fold down over the card slot to operate. I see what your getting at now. yeah I'm sure theres an answer to this. So the dealer has no idea what card is supposed to be used with the navi? thats odd

 

yeah, i thought so too, but even worse, no one at Honda could give me answers either. I would think they would have the specs to know exactly what size card fits, and if it is the standard ~85mm then I would know that I've got a unique problem. anyway, after my last post, I called my salesperson to find out if he has any 09 Fits w/ Navi available to test on the lot. let the world know what I find out....

 

I dont know too much about to car audio, but maybe you should go to a Car audio shop or best buy or something. see if any other navi units use the cards like this. maybe the cards used are different from the cards used in laptops.(size wise)

 

That does sound strange... I was a level 2 tech for simple technology for years and supported pcmcia cards. They should all be standard, although the length can vary - i.e. netwrok card antennas, dongle cables/adapters etc... It might just be the brand you are using - if not, something warped with your particular stereo.

Here is an article I found with a tidbit about getting the adapter at Fry's Electronics.

2009 Honda Fit Sport Full Test

UPDATE: I just found this on Ebay... I got myself one... if you are willing to wait for 2 weeks from China and willing to take the risk for $20. ;|

http://cgi.ebay.com/Honda-CR-V-PC-Ca...2em118Q2el1247

 

thanks for the links,

but the ebay one looks just like the sandisk reader they sell at bestbuy and stuff.

why did someone say the sandisk one would stick out 1cm? This is just plain stupid to me. why can't they just tell us which ones are compatible?

 

a universal PCMCIA card should fit. when i had my SI with navi (same navi that is in the fit), i picked up the cheapest one they had at staples at it worked fine.

since all these cards are made the same size...i'd chaulk this up to user error.

definatly try and insert the card with the other side facing up...maybe your inserting it upsidedown. and if you were...make sure no pins in the navi unit are bend.

 

There are some tech differences with these adapters: cardbus 32bit (faster in a laptop capable slot - no difference for mp3s in your car) and whether it is SDHD compatible (SD cards over 2gb).

Other than that, they should all be the same. I just went with the cheapo SDHC compatible on ebay for only $20.

 

Hey Minnemike, I just got my 09 Fit with Nav and trying to figure out which PC card adapter will work. Did the "cheapo SDHC compatible on ebay for only $20" work for you?

 

HI, I went thru all the drama at BestBuy today for my new 2010 Fit so I can play my music in it thru the head unit so I can change on the screen. Long story, I found out that you have to use a compact flash card in the PC card adapter. Old technology for my new car. Wasn't too happy about it but it is what it is. Hope this helps clarify.

 

I ordered this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Honda-CR-V-PC-Ca...2em118Q2el1247

It worked and uses SDHC cards.